By Goodluck Ikiebe.
A former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Prince Francis Omo-Osunde Iyasere, has advised the party to search for credible politicians in the state in the mould of Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama to occupy Denis Osadebey Government House.
Iyasere, who is an ex-executive member of the party in the south south zone, made the appeal in a chat with journalists in Benin City.
Our Correspondent reports that the politician spoke on issues ranging from the newly signed Electoral Act by President Muhammadu Buhari, search for credible politicians to occupy vital positions in 2023.
According to him, ‘The much-talked-about electoral reform bill has been signed into law by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, some days back. For me, this attracts my commendation and I am looking forward to a robust implementation of the act by INEC.
“Due to the introduction of this act, elections in Nigeria can be adjudged to be getting much better than it was, If INEC will be ready to play by the rules.
“Therefore, Political Parties, particularly my party, the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP)should be prepared to field its first eleven, because we may not get away with presenting mediocres to the electorate, moreso now that they know that their votes would count.
He noted that the 2023 general elections is one election that may decide Nigeria’s future, due to the decadence and uncertainties facing the nation and Nigerians, adding that the country needed tested and selfless people to be given leadership responsibility.
“It is pertinent to state here that such individuals cannot be easily picked from the outside but rather from the inside. The question which therefore comes to mind is, what are the criteria for choosing those suitable individuals?
Responding to the method to use to search for credible politicians, Iyasere said:”It is quite simple. For example, it is very easy to assess those representing us at every level by reviewing the impact of their representation in their constituencies.
“For example, in Oredo, my Federal Constituency, our representative, Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, has demonstrated his love and passion for education by organizing world-class educational and cultural events for our children, which is a critical element in moulding a strong, dependable, and intelligent society.
“It is also worthy of mention, his passion for assisting financially, for individual and families who cannot afford to send their brilliant children to school. I know of so many that Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama has put on his scholarship programme without making noise about it.
“This can best be described as human capital development, which is the key component of democracy. It must be noted that there are others like Hon Ogbeide-Ihama across the State that could be rewarded with a promotion. Such promotion would serve as an encouragement for others to also perform while in office,” he added.
On the issue of NASS members rejecting a Clause that blocks members from defecting Midway in a tenure, the Bini Prince said:
“The refusal by the National Assembly to outlaw in the ongoing constitutional amendment the unwarranted defections from one political party to the other, is a sad one,”he noted.
He also advised PDP must roll up its sleeves to look at those who have displayed loyalty to the party in the selection of those to fly the ticket of the Party in the next general elections, adding that the party could nott afford to give its platform to non-committed and disloyal individuals.
“As I said earlier, Hon Ogbeide-Ihama has been one of the PDP loyalists in Edo State, he demonstrated it when our dear Governor decided to run on the platform of the PDP, even when he was the man to beat in the governorship primary, based on reports from the field across the State.
“He resisted all entreaties from the fifth columnist to be a hindrance to the realization of Godwin Obaseki’s dream in the PDP. This singular act is worth my commendation always and a testimony of his unalloyed loyalty to the party and its leadership.
“There are so many of his kind across Edo State that also needed to be encouraged. I am only concerned with Hon Omoregie Ogbe-Ihama because he is from my constituency and I have assessed him and found him to be a silent performer, a staunch party loyalist, and of selfless disposition, a lover of child education.
“The uncommon feats of Hon.Omoregie Ogbe-Ihama,as enumerated above, may have informed the decision of the Oredo PDP executive committee to canvas for a promotion for him in the forthcoming general elections.
“I can agree with them because such would also serve as a booster for more performance,” according to him,”he explained.
